Gresham man dies in one-car accident

A Gresham man, Derek Allen Cranford, 25, of Gresham, died and his passenger was injured in a Saturday night single vehicle crash near Sam Barlow High School. The passenger's injuries are described as non-life threatening.

Initial indications are high speed and alcohol may have been contributing factors in the crash.

According to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 10:45 p.m. on July 26, sheriff's deputies and the Gresham Fire Department responded to the report of a single automobile crash in the 30300 block of Southeast Lusted Road. When emergency responders arrived, they found two people in a severely damaged 1994 black Mitsubishi 3000GT.

Cranford, the driver, was declared deceased at the scene. The passenger was transported to an area hospital.

The East County Vehicular Crimes Team responded to conduct the crash investigation. It consists of representatives of the MCSO, Gresham Police Department, Troutdale Police Department, Fairview Police Department and the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office.

Preliminary investigation indicates the car was traveling westbound on Southeast Lusted Road when it crossed the eastbound lane and struck a utility pole in the 30300 block. The impact of the car broke the utility pole and spun the car around and into a ditch approximately 40 feet further west.